Autodesk certifications are now open to GI Bill beneficiaries

Pearson education and Autodesk recently announced that its suite of certifications are now reimbursable under the GI Bill, for veterans, as well as their spouses and dependents.

The approved Autodesk certification programs will mainly focus on professional-level certifications that will translate to engineering, construction, and product design skills. The company hopes that the new pathway to certification will expand workforce development for veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

“Many veterans bring the discipline and technical aptitude that employers are looking for to the workforce,” Jeff Kinder, EVP of product development and manufacturing solutions at Autodesk, said in a statement. “At Autodesk, we want to make it easier to build on those strengths with credentials that can help support the transition in high-demand, design and make fields.”

The GI Bill was established in 1944, and helps pay for education and job training for service members and veterans, and their families.

Today, it provides college tuition and certification exam reimbursement, and tutorial assistance, among other benefits.

Every year, around 250,000 military members transition out of public service, and many aren’t prepared to work in the private sector, CNBC reported. Some companies, like Disney to Google, have created programs to help them apply their skills in a new career path.

“Sometimes companies overlook that label because they don’t recognize how [veterans’ skills] can transfer into their companies,” Juan Andrade, CEO of USAA, told CNBC in November. “This labor pool is amazingly talented; they’re already well educated, and they bring a level of discipline and a level of leadership to the workplace that makes an impact.”